History key terms

A god or goddess believed to have a special protective relationship with a particular community.

A goddess whom a person or ruler especially associates with their protection and authority.

A recurring feature found across several historical examples.

Settlers from Paxton in Pennsylvania who murdered peaceful Conestoga people in December 1763 and marched towards Philadelphia in February 1764.

The idea that capitalist and communist states could exist alongside one another without going to war.

The idea that communist and capitalist states could exist alongside one another without going to war.

A disputed formal peace agreement between Athens and Persia, sometimes dated to about 449 BC rather than immediately after Eurymedon.

The peace settlement of 1783 ending the war; its Anglo-American treaty recognised the independence of the United States.

Nixon’s stated aim of ending American involvement in Vietnam without appearing to abandon an ally or admit defeat.

A period when a particular kind of activity at a site reached its greatest extent or intensity.

A person who lived mainly by farming. Peasants could be free or unfree; unfree peasants owed labour services and could not leave their lord without permission.

An enslaved attendant who accompanied and supervised a child, including on journeys to school. Calling Fabius Hannibal’s pedagogue mocked him for following Hannibal rather than fighting him.

A triangular space at the end of a temple roof, often filled with sculpture.

The family of Peisistratus, including his sons Hippias and Hipparchus, associated with the tyranny at Athens.

The alliance led by Sparta, whose members included Corinth and, at different points, Megara.

An animal’s skin with its fur still attached, traded for use in products such as hats.

An overseas settlement used to hold and employ transported convicts.

Laws restricting religious groups outside the established church. In Ireland after the Williamite War, they reinforced Anglican dominance by restricting Catholics’ access to public life and land; some restrictions also affected Protestant Dissenters.

Changes to the laws and institutions used to punish offenders, such as reducing death sentences or improving prisons.

An act performed to show repentance and make amends for sin, such as prayer or giving money to the Church.

An antibiotic discovered by Alexander Fleming in 1928 after he observed that a mould prevented nearby bacteria from growing.

A regular payment intended to support someone after their former employment or way of life has ended.

Secret US government reports about American involvement in Vietnam, leaked to newspapers and published in 1971.

Lloyd George’s 1909 budget, which increased taxation to help finance the Liberal government’s reforms and rising defence expenditure.

A large rural organisation introduced in China from 1958 that combined collective farming with the organisation of work and services such as communal dining and childcare.

A Nazi court established in 1934 to try cases of treason, with members appointed by Hitler and no right of appeal against its decisions.

The early crusading movement of 1096, led principally by Peter the Hermit and including Walter Sans Avoir’s followers. It departed before the main armies and was largely destroyed by the Seljuk Turks.

China’s armed forces, which gained political influence during the Cultural Revolution.

The communist state proclaimed by Mao Tse-tung in October 1949 after victory in the Chinese Civil War.

A woven garment presented to Athena as a religious offering during the Panathenaia.